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Township trying to be aggressive in development
YOUNGSTOWN
One area township is trying to be more aggressive is making itself open for new development.
Brookfield Township already has had one meeting with officials from the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber and the Western Reserve Port Authority, and another meeting has been scheduled with chamber officials and local business leaders, said Gary Lees, township trustee.
“We’re trying to show that we’re interested in any company looking to come to Brookfield Township,” he said. “We’ve got good access to both the interstates, and we’re within a five-mile radius of the airport.”
The township is looking for any tools that it can find to help aid development, Lees said. It is is seeking either housing developments or new businesses.
The township also is trying to expand its appeal to Pennsylvania businesses and residents, he said.
“We want to let people know in Hermitage, where things are growing, that we have lower taxes, and we have good schools, too,” Lees said.
There were a few specific projects mentioned at the meeting with the chamber, but none of those opportunities are considering Brookfield, said Sarah Boyarko, vice president of Economic Development, Retention & Expansion.
The key to the meeting was letting Brookfield Township know resources are available to them, she said.
“The chamber works with stakeholders in Brookfield Township on a regular basis,” Boyarko said.
The area has good access to the highway and to the airport, she said.
Lees said he is hopeful that the oil and gas industry developing in Trumbull County will help bring new opportunities to the township due to its access to the airport and interstates.
“There are more and more vehicles for the industry driving through the township every day,” he said.
The goal is to make companies considering relocating to the area or local companies considering expansion aware of the opportunities available, either in Brookfield Township or anywhere else, Boyarko said.
“We do that with every community,” she said.
Boyarko will speak to township officials again at a meeting July 17 at 6 p.m.
Lees said he has invited business owners and local real-estate workers to attend the meeting.